1999,3500,5.2

front right, procedure for checking,replacing bearings? appreciate your help

 

Why don't you start with the symptoms and we'll first see if the problem is, or is not, the bearing? Better that than to do a repair that doesn't fix the problem.

 

Noise doesn't change by appyling brakes.
one day no noise,next day noise.
noise changes with speed
not heard at 5 mph or so

 

A bearing noise will go away when you apply the brakes. Noise from worn brakes will not go away when you apply the brakes. It sounds like you need new brakes, not a new bearing. Have you pulled the wheel off and inspected both the inner and outer pads?

 

DD,

I have the same 8-lug front discs on my B2500 2001 as you have on the B3500 1999 van.

These 8-lug discs up front have front internal bearings that wear out after some time. I had just replaced mine as the noise changes with speed and increases to a roar while at highway speeds.

AutoZone has the discs, NAPA has the bearings. Make sure you get the correct parts! The autostores mostly sell and have in stock the 5-lug front hardware. These will NOT fit.

Also, the nice thing about the front discs is that they all come with the front ABS attached sprocket. Ifthe van doesn't have front ABS, then the sprocket still help by acting as a heat disapator for the disc.

When doing the job, I repacked the bearings too. The job per tire took 45mins each. The hardest part was getting those 8-lugs off in the first place. [&:]

If the noise is from brakes, you will feel a pull slightly to the right or left usually and the noise may have a sound of grinding. Our Gen-2 ram vans have the anti-clatter springs clips on the brake pads to the caliper, so the noise shouldn't be the brakes.

Peace!

Stev